Customer Reviews

Judaism For Everyone: Renewing Your Life Through The Vibrant Lessons Of The Jewish Faith

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm an athiest and ex-Catholic who bought this book with some skepticism. Yet, I heard the author being interviewed on the radio, which piqued my curiosity. What a wonderful, life-affirming book this is! It is written with a joy and verve that celebrates Life and Living by trumpeting its positive message relating to man, his strengths and weaknesses, and his relationship to God. From the author's explantions of the Creation story, the duties of man and wife in marriage, and some of the Jewish Holidays, such as Rosh Hashanah, this book will inspire you and make you happy to be alive in the world. In my opinion, so much of organized religion is negative with its emphasis on sin and the life hereafter. This book contains an entirely contrary message -- that man is good, that his soul is not tainted with original sin at birth. Man is good because he was created in the image of God, who is here with us, now, in the present. This book offers a truly uplifting, spiritual experience for the reader -- even for a cynical old athiest like me. Thank you, Rabbi!

H.R.H. Prince El-Hassan bin Talal of Jordan wrote: "In the modern world, it has become clear that people of all religions must bridge these differences and work together, to ensure our survival and realize the vision of peace that all faiths share". Yet, how do we put these beautiful words for world peace and harmony into real practice ? Is it enough to simply "tolerate" or "put up" with someone else's religion, barely trying to squeeze some vague common grounds out of one another's religious creeds ? The answer is a definite no, as this author shows us: we can easily go one step further. We can actually come to embrace one another's religions, by learning from them, and incorporate some of their principles and values into our everyday lives - which usually does not conflict with, but rather reinforces or enriches, the values or beliefs we may already be holding through our own religion. This step is extraordinarily exposed by H.E. Great Rabbi Shmuel Boteach, one of the world's greatest orthodox rabbis, and surely one of the top Halachic thinkers of the XXI Century. When he was appointed as Rabbi to Oxford University at age 21, young 'Shmuley' immediately embarked on an extremely challenging task, yet very successfully: to bring the students of Oxford - Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, and even Muslims - to share in the spirit of Judaism, through his marvelous creation which lives to this day, the renowned "L'Chaim Society". Students from all sorts of cultural, social and religious backgrounds came to experience the atmosphere and magic of the Holy Shabbat, the teachings of the Sacred Torah and the Holy Talmud, enriching their lives spiritually and culturally, yet without ever giving up anything from their own religion. Without any attempt whatsoever at proselytization, Rabbi Boteach has always worked to propose the great values and teachings of Judaism - universal values for all mankind - to those of other faiths. Indeed, to become just "a little bit Jewish", as shows us the author, can considerably enrich our daily lives, minds and spirits. This book, a true masterpiece not only in terms of intellectual work and rich content, but also for its superbly ravishing prose, is Rabbi Boteach's culmination in bringing Judaism to the world. It is a book truly "for everyone" who would like to learn more about Judaism, and maybe (no commitment !) put a bit of Judaism into their lives. Easy to read, fun to browse through, this book is great material for mind and soul alike.

Shmuely Boteach is a somewhat controversial figure in the Jewish world. He is a dynamic outreach person who some believe has gone too far in his outreaching. But his love of Judaism and his love of people are very clear in this work. He is the kind of spiritual teacher who does not content himself with spouting platitudes but aims to make a real difference in people's lives.
He dares to be different, and he dares to be outspoken. And he dares to say that Judaism is not getting its fundamental messages across to its own people as well as to others.
Boteach writes in a vivid way. And generally his spirit of wishing to reach out to help others runs all through the work.
He sees Judaism as a living faith that has a message for mankind which no only those born as Jewish, but others can rationally and emotionally adopt as their own.
This is a wonderful book of advocacy for Judaism and is highly recommended.

H.R.H. Prince El-Hassan bin Talal of Jordan wrote: "In the modern world, it has become clear that people of all religions must bridge these differences and work together, to ensure our survival and realize the vision of peace that all faiths share". Yet, how do we put these beautiful words for world peace and harmony into real practice ? Is it enough to simply "tolerate" or "put up" with someone else's religion, barely trying to squeeze some vague common grounds out of one another's religious creeds ? The answer is a definite no, as this author shows us: we can easily go one step further. We can actually come to embrace one another's religions, by learning from them, and incorporate some of their principles and values into our everyday lives - which usually does not conflict with, but rather reinforces or enriches, the values or beliefs we may already be holding through our own religion. This step is extraordinarily exposed by H.E. Great Rabbi Shmuel Boteach, one of the world's greatest orthodox rabbis, and surely one of the top Halachic thinkers of the XXI Century. When he was appointed as Rabbi to Oxford University at age 21, young 'Shmuley' immediately embarked on an extremely challenging task, yet very successfully: to bring the students of Oxford - Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, and even Muslims - to share in the spirit of Judaism, through his marvelous creation which lives to this day, the renowned "L'Chaim Society". Students from all sorts of cultural, social and religious backgrounds came to experience the atmosphere and magic of the Holy Shabbat, the teachings of the Sacred Torah and the Holy Talmud, enriching their lives spiritually and culturally, yet without ever giving up anything from their own religion. Without any attempt whatsoever at proselytization, Rabbi Boteach has always worked to propose the great values and teachings of Judaism - universal values for all mankind - to those of other faiths. Indeed, to become just "a little bit Jewish", as shows us the author, can considerably enrich our daily lives, minds and spirits. This book, a true masterpiece not only in terms of intellectual work and rich content, but also for its superbly ravishing prose, is Rabbi Boteach's culmination in bringing Judaism to the world. It is a book truly "for everyone" who would like to learn more about Judaism, and maybe (no commitment !) put a bit of Judaism into their lives. Easy to read, fun to browse through, this book is great material for mind and soul alike.

I love this book & will keep it for revisiting. A pleasure to read. The writer gives the depth of someone who understands Judaism while at the same time demonstrates a love & grasp of Torah. Uplifting to everyone both Jew & Non-Jew.

I find this book wonderful! Rabbi Boteach writes in a very clear voice, and explains himself in ways that I'm sure nearly everyone can understand. Even though I am not Jewish I found that so much in this book made sense... Rabbi Boteach is an Orthodox Rabbi, which can sound scary to a lot of non-Jews, but honestly there were only a couple things that I found surprisingly strict (and anyway, who says you have to agree with everything in the book to enjoy it?). The book touches on a broad array of subjects, and all of them were interesting! I am interested in some of his other books now!

Rabbi Boteach's view of Judaism is such an inspiration to me. He reminds us of all the beautiful aspects of being a Jew. I read this book with joy and share parts with friends and even bought a copy for another friend. I love that he is open-minded and wants to share lessons from our beautiful religion with everyone. Highly recommended!

This book takes the glory of Judaism and reduces it to some very simple ideas clearly meant to appeal to simple thinkers. This is not Judaism for everyone it is Judaism for no one.
The author's only objective is to appeal to a mass market so as to increase the books sales.
He shows no great thought whatsoever in this simplistic book. His interpretations and ideas are infantile; this author is by no means a great thinker.
I believe the author has forgotten what true Judaism is really about (it is full of complexities and contradictions that require great thinkers and learned persons to interpret and explain them properly and with great sensibilties for its many traditions). The author has learned instead what it takes to sell many books.
A breif example; his explanation of why Dairy and Meat together are not Kosher is a new one and is ridiculous one. Abraham ate dairy and meat. No Prophet has ever claimed in a dietary law that dairy and meat together are prohibited, you think the famed Rabbi should no this by now.

Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing of any value to learn about Judaism from this book.

A very disappointed reader.